I am thinking about grace this mid-winter season. As I write, Lent is on the stoop, knuckles rap-ping on the church door, and we’re about to open.

When we do, the idea of grace, so comfortable and comforting in the Christmas season, is confronted and challenged by the passion story: full of opposition, power mongering, denial, betrayal, inhumane torture and execution. Where is a shred of grace in all that? It is present, of course, but one has to let go of some popular notions in order to see it. Lent has a way of clarifying the meaning of grace; it reminds us that grace is not merely a way of “looking on the bright side” or concocting a happy ending. It is a revelation of what lies deepest — deeper even than human cor-ruption and despair — in God’s universe. The martyr theologian, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, rightly rejected what he called cheap grace. If grace is grace, it isn’t cheap; if it’s cheap, it isn’t grace.

And that brings me to the second reason I have been contemplating grace. I met recently with a cast of stu-dent performers rehearsing Shakespeare’s play, Cymbeline. The professor/director of the production suggested that the play is, in the end, about grace, and invited me to discuss the Christian understand-ing of grace with the cast. I had never read or seen the play. However, my late father had, and I still have The Complete Works of Shakespeare that he bought as a college textbook in 1940. So in preparation for my conversation with the cast, I had not only Shake-speare’s play, but my father’s marginal notes to read. And I discovered that the play does indeed have a strong element of grace, at least in the final act.

The challenge for a cast is to produce that final act as an act of grace, not a mere Hollywood ending. That is, to use Bonhoeffer’s language, not to act as if the culminating grace is cheap. Confession, forgiveness, reconciliation and hope suddenly flood Shakespeare’s landscape, washing away the conniving, betrayal and warfare that have filled the first four acts of the play. In this surprising birth of amazing grace on stage is Shakespeare suggesting the birth of Christ? Perhaps; the play is set during the biblical first century time period. But whether Shakespeare intends that allu-sion or not, the irruption of grace is real and almost shocking when it comes. The grace that washes over the final scenes is not cheap. It is daring. It is born of a trust that grace is strong enough to change lives. Even history.

It is to that power of grace that the music of the Church bears eloquent witness. Untrustworthy grace (an oxymoron!) doesn’t inspire the heart to sing. Trustworthy grace, however, inspires the whole uni-verse. Certainly some of the music of Lent is in a minor key. Some is marked by dissonance. It inspires sober contemplation rather than light-hearted joy. But the fact that it is music calls us to remember that there is something stronger than all those powers that wound and break the world. Grace. Healing grace. Sing for joy.

Peace be with you,

“Lent has a way of clarifying the meaning of grace.”

by Pastor Bruce Benson, host

Grand MusicGracious Word

Sing For Joy® is a production of St. Olaf College. MARCH 2015 / YEAR B

MARCH 1, 2015 Second Sunday in Lent (Year B)

(1R) Genesis 17:1–7, 15–16(PS) Psalm 22:23–31(2R) Romans 4:13–25(G) Mark 8:31–38

How Firm a Foundation (FOUNDATION) – American Traditional / American Folk Hymn, lyricist / Douglas Starr, arranger (2R) The Chancel Choir of Shadyside Presbyterian Church: Pittsburgh, PA / John Walker (CD) How Can I Keep from Singing / PRO ORGANO / CD 7188 © 2003 Pro Organo proorgano.com

The God of Abraham Praise (YIGDAL) – Hebrew Traditional / Thomas Olivers, lyricist (1R, 2R) Cantus Choro / Norman Kaye, accompanist / Peter Chapman (CD) Sing Out With Joy / MOVE RECORDS / MD 3032 © 1987 Move Records move.com.au

Just as I am (SAFFRON WALDEN) – Arthur H. Brown / Charlotte Elliott, lyricist (2R) The Choir of Ely Cathedral / Scott Farrell, accompanist / Paul Trepte (CD) The Complete New English Hymnal: Volume 3 / PRIORY RECORDS, LTD. / PRCD 703 © 2001 Priory Records, Ltd. priory.org.uk

God Moves in a Mysterious Way (UNION) – American Traditional / William Cowper, lyricist / Alice Parker, arranger (1R, 2R) Master Chorale of Washington, D.C.: Washington, DC / Donald McCullough (CD) Melodious Accord / GOTHIC / G 49129 © 2001 Gothic, Gothic Records gothicrecords.com

Christus Paradox (PICARDY) – French Processional / Sylvia Dunstan, lyricist / John Ferguson, arranger / Alfred V. Fedak, arranger (G) Massed Choirs of St. Olaf College: Northfield, MN / The St. Olaf Orchestra / John Ferguson (CD) For God So Loves the World / ST. OLAF RECORDS / E-2939/40 © 2006 St. Olaf Records, St. Olaf College stolafrecords.com

MARCh 8, 2015 Third Sunday in Lent (Year B)

(1R) Exodus 20:1–17(PS) Psalm 19(2R) 1 Corinthians 1:18–25(G) John 2:13–22

Bring us, O Lord God – Paul Halley / John Donne, lyricist / Issac Watts, lyricist (G) The Choirs of the Cathedral of St. Philip: Atlanta, GA / Dale Adelmann (CD) Into the House and Gate of Heaven / GOTHIC / G-49291 © 2014 Gothic, Gothic Records, Inc. gothicrecords.com

Do No Sinful Action (FINLAY) – Unknown / Cecil Francis Alexander, lyricist (1R, 2R) The Choir of Paisley Abbey / George McPhee (CD) All Things Bright & Beautiful / MUSICAL HERITAGE SOCIETY / 544850T © 1995 Musical Heritage Society

The Creation: The Heavens Are Telling, H XXI:2 – Franz Joseph Haydn / Robert Shaw, arranger / Alice Parker, translator / Robert Shaw, translator (PS) Atlanta Symphony Chamber Chorus: Atlanta, GA / Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, ensemble / Robert Shaw (CD) The Creation / TELARC / CD-80298-A © 1992 Telarc, Concord Music Group telarc.com

Ave Verum Corpus – Colin Mawby (G) The Choir of Westminster Cathedral / Iain Simcock, accompanist / James O’Donnell (CD) Panis Angelicus: Favourite Motets from Westminster Cathedral / HYPERION / CDA66669 © 1993 Hyperion, Hyperion Records Limited hyperion-records.co.uk

Bring Us, O Lord God – Sir William H. Harris / John Donne, lyricist (G) The Choir of Clare College: Cambridge, England / Timothy Brown (CD) Illumina / COLLEGIUM RECORDS / COLCD 125 © 1999 Collegium Records, Naxos of America, Inc. collegium.co.uk

March 15, 2015 Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

(1R) Numbers 21:4–9(PS) Psalm 107:1-3, 17–22(2R) Ephesians 2:1–10(G) John 3:14–21

The Crucifixion: God So Loved the World – Sir John Stainer / William Sparrow Simpson, lyricist (G) The Choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral: London, United Kingdom / John Scott (CD) Stainer: The Crucifixtion / CONIFER CLASSICS / CDCF 193 © 1991 Conifer Classics, England

The Voice of Free Grace (SCOTLAND) – Scottish Folk Tune / Richard Burdsall, lyricist (2R) Boston Camerata: Boston, MA / Joel Cohen (CD) Trav’ling Home: American Spirituals 1770-1870 / ERATO / 0630-12711-2 © 1996 Erato, Paris, France

What Wondrous Love (WONDROUS LOVE) – William Walker / Robert Scholz, arranger The St. Olaf Choir: Northfield, MN / Anton Armstrong (CD) Winter Tour 2014: Home Concert / ST. OLAF COLLEGE / Not For Resale © 2014 St. Olaf College stolaf.edu

Lift High the Cross (CRUCIFER) – Sydney H. Nicholson / George W. Kitchin, lyricist / Howard Baer, arranger (2R) The Covenant Choir of Park Cities Prebyterian Church: Dallas, TX / Lynda Fray (CD) Lift High the Cross / PARK CITIES PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / PCPC2000 © 2000 Park Cities Presbyterian Church pcpc.org

Love Everlasting (Gott ist die liebe) – Meiningen / August Rische, lyricist / Larry Nickel, arranger (G) West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir / Tony Funk (CD) A Mennonite Tapestry / MCC SCS / IKR002CD © MCC SCS, Canada

God So Loved the World – Libby Larson (G) St. Olaf Cantorei: Northfield, MN / John Ferguson (CD) Through the Church the Song Goes On / ST. OLAF RECORDS / E-2801 © 2005 St. Olaf Records, St. Olaf College stolafrecords.com

MArch 22, 2015 Fifth Sunday in Lent (Year B)

(1R) Jeremiah 31:31–34(PS) Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9–16(2R) Hebrews 5:5–10(G) John 12:20–33

My Song is Love Unknown (LOVE UNKNOWN) – John Ireland / Samuel Crossman, lyricist (G) The Choir of King’s College / Stephen Cleobury

(CD) Best Loved Hymns / EMI (ANGEL, EMI CLASSICS, EMI RECORDS, LTD) / 7243 5 57026 2 3 © 2001 EMI (Angel, EMI Classics, EMI Records, Ltd) emiclassics.com

Zwei Motetten (Two Motets): Schaffe in mir, Gott (Create in Me a Clean Heart) (Excerpt), Op. 29, No. 2 – Johannes Brahms (PS) Swedish Radio Choir / Peter Dijkstra (CD) Brahms: Mass & Motets / CHANNEL CLASSICS / CCS SA 35814 © 2014 Channel Classics channelclassics.com

Create in Me a Clean Heart O God – J.A. Freylinghausen / Paul J. Christiansen, arranger (PS) The National Lutheran Choir: Minneapolis, MN / Larry L. Fleming (CD) Tree of Glory / NATIONAL LUTHERAN CHOIR RECORDINGS / NLCA-132 © 1999 National Lutheran Choir Recordings nlca.com

Miserere mei, Deus (Excerpt) – Gregorio Allegri (PS) The Cambridge Singers / John Rutter (CD) A Banquet of Voices: Music for Multiple Choirs / COLLEGIUM RECORDS / COLCD 123 © 1994 Collegium Records, Naxos of America, Inc. collegium.co.uk

Miserere mei, Deus – Sarah MacDonald (PS) Ely Cathedral Girls’ Choir: Ely, United Kingdom / Sarah MacDonald (CD) Penitence and Redemption / REGENT RECORDS / REGCD397 © 2013 Regent Records regentrecords.com

Now the Green Blade Rises (NOËL NOVELET) – French Carol / John M.C. Crum, lyricist / J. Melvin Butler, arranger (G) St. Mark’s Girl Choir: Seattle, WA / J. Melvin Butler (CD) Great Music of Holy Week & Easter / CHURCH PUBLISHING COMPANY / ISBN: 0-89869-282-2 © 1997 Church Publishing Company churchpublishing.org

Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life (GARDINER) – William Gardiner / Frank Mason North, lyricist / John Ayer, arranger (G) The Memphis Boychoir: Memphis, TN / David J. Kienzle, accompanist / John Ayer (CD) Great Cathedral Music: A Memphis Choral Tour / PRO ORGANO / CD 7053 © 1994 Pro Organo proorgano.com

MArch 29, 2015 Sunday of the Passion – Palm Sunday (Year B)

(1R) Isaiah 50:4–9a(PS) Psalm 31:9–16(2R) Philippians 2:5–11(G) Mark 14:1–15:47 or Mark 15:1–39, (40–47)(PG) Processional Gospel

All Glory, Laud, and Honor (ST. THEODULPH) – Melchior Teschner / Theodulph of Orleans, lyricist / John Mason Neale, translator (PG) The Choir of Wells Cathedral / Rupert Gough, accompanist / Malcolm Archer (CD) The English Hymn, Vol. 4: All Things Bright and Beautiful / HYPERION / CDP12104 © 2003 Hyperion, Hyperion Records Limited hyperion-records.co.uk

Ride On, Ride On in Majesty (PARADOX) – John Ferguson / Henry Hart Milman, lyricist (PG) St. Olaf Cantorei: Northfield, MN / John Ferguson (CD) Hidden In Humbleness / GIA PUBLICATIONS / GIA CD-594 © 2003 GIA Publications giamusic.com

Ride On, King Jesus – African American Spiritual / Larry L. Fleming, arranger (PG) The Wartburg Choir: Waverly, IA / Paul Torkelson (CD) The Wartburg Choir: 1993 Concert Tour / WARTBURG COLLEGE / E-2006 © 1993 Wartburg College

At the Name of Jesus (CAMBERWELL) – Michael Brierley / Caroline M. Noel, lyricist (2R) The Choir of Salisbury Cathedral: Salisbury, United Kingdom / David Halls (CD) Great Hymns from Salisbury / PRIORY RECORDS, LTD. / PRCD 1098 © 2013 Priory Records, Ltd. priory.org.uk

Beneath the Cross of Jesus (ST. CHRISTOPHER) – Frederick C. Maker / Elizabeth C. Clephane, lyricist (G) The Riverton Singers / Irmgard Baerg, accompanist / William Baerg (CD) These Our Hymns / RIVERTON PRODUCTIONS / RP1200CD © Riverton Productions, Canada

Were You There? (WERE YOU THERE) – African American Spiritual / Norman Luboff, arranger (G) Soli Deo Gloria Cantorum: Omaha, NE / Almeda Berkey (CD) Arma Lucis / SDG RECORDS / SDGCD 89 © 1989 SDG Records

Thank you for your gifts! In Honor Of:

Mr. and Mrs. Rodney L. Barbour

Bruce Benson

grandson Matthew Bock, an Ole choir member, on his birthday

the birthday of Pastor Mark Hall

John Ferguson

Reverend and Mrs. John M. Momdal

Melba Panhorst, for her support for Lutheran music

Mr. David C. Ratchford, on Christmas

my wife, Reba

Martha Perry

Priscilla

school nurses everywhere

newsletter appreciation

the gift of music

NEWS

We are sorry to see our friends at KNXE close their doors. To all of the Rochester, Minnesota listeners, we are working on finding a new station in your area. Until then, you can stream

Sing For Joy online at singforjoy.org.

LISTENERS’ CORNER

Thanks to our generous listeners who fuel us with gifts and praise. Your contributions and kind words are a blessing.

“[Sing For Joy] infuses me with the warmth of a community sharing faith through music.” Chapel Hill, North Carolina

“Sing For Joy brings such a blessing of grace and healing.”Anonymous

Join in the Sing For Joy conversation on Facebook and Twitter (@SingForJoyRadio) and

stream the show online at singforjoy.org

MARCH 2015 / YEAR B

Thank you for your gifts! In Memory Of:

Bea and Jay BishopGrace Brown

Reverend Dr. Harold G. Deal Maxine EvansRuth Ferguson

Clarence and Esther Hauck, parents Reverend Robert Kepley

Perry A. KlaassenJennifer Koenig

my husband, Reverend John Kinardour parents, Mearl and Margo Larson

Paul MainzReverend John P. Meyer

Harold Milliken Spencer Mills

Ronald A. NelsonKathy Pelletier, my mom and fellow church choir member

David and LaVonne Prieb Dr. and Mrs. Alvin Rueter

Deane Richardson Karl Schoeller Jane B. Shore

Evelyn Soyars Strader, my mother Jane Maland Vinger, St. Olaf Class of ‘54 & St. Olaf Choir member

Paul Wenhold Wanda Weber, a longtime listener of KFUO in St. Louis Peter and Alice Wiersema, Robert and Betty Wiersema

Wilma my parents and grandparents

my husband Charlie, my dad and my mom (Honorariums listed inside)

Sing For JoySt. Olaf College1520 St. Olaf AvenueNorthfield, mn 55057

Non-profit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDSt. Olaf College

Website: singforjoy.org Email: singforjoy@stolaf.eduPhone: 507-786-8596

Sing For Joy staff:

W. Bruce Benson Host

John Ferguson Music Adviser

Jeffrey O’Donnell Producer and Music Director

Joshua Wyatt Associate Producer

Carolyn Pierson Communications Coordinator

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